Stephanie Khoury, the Acting Head of the United Nations Mission in Libya, met with Ahmed Al-Shahri, the Acting Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Libya, on Monday evening to discuss ways to involve relevant Libyan stakeholders in reaching a political settlement that would pave the way for elections.
In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Khoury emphasized the crucial role regional actors play in advancing the Libyan political process. She also mentioned that they discussed methods to engage Libyan parties to achieve a political resolution that leads to elections.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
